How to find a new place to rent
Link to Original Content: https://rebeccahhammond.com/2018/08/21/moving-house-finding-a-new-place/
Moving House: Finding a New Place
So, you’ve decided that you want get your own place, away from your Mam and Dad or away
from the place you grew up in. It’s all very exciting but moving out it can be daunting.
It doesn’t matter if this is your 1st or 15th time moving house (like me!), the whole process can
be tiring and stressful. Here are a couple of tips you can use to help the transition run
smoothly:
Where to look for a new place
In today’s market, it is becoming more difficult to find nice, clean and cheap properties. While
some of us dream of white walled halls and marble kitchens, others just want a small modest
space.
There are many different ways to find your next dream home:
Property Websites
These websites may be the most popular means by which to find properties for rent. They
also boast some of the most expensive prices. The properties on these websites are posted by
both individual landlords/letting agents. Some popular ones are:
Daft.ie
Property.ie
MyHome.ie
Check these websites daily. You never know, you may find a diamond in the rough.
Link to Original Content: https://rebeccahhammond.com/2018/08/21/moving-house-finding-a-new-place/
Checking local newspapers online or classified websites can also be useful. It is an old
fashioned way of advertising a property but not everyone will check here.
Letting Agencies
Although letting agents place their properties online, they sometimes withhold some listings.
Visiting a letting agent’s or auctioneer’s office will not only give you more opinions but
building a relationship with a agent may open more doors (literally!).
Facebook Groups
It doesn’t matter where you are moving, there is always a Facebook group with properties or
room to rent. Most of the posts are legit but it is important to view the property before
handing over any money. It is important to meet the landlord/letting agent or prospective
housemate to make sure that it is the right place for you.
Word of Mouth
If you are moving to an area where you know someone, ask if they know anybody who has a
place to rent. Similarly, if you are moving for a new job and have no contacts in the area, ask
the HR department to see if they have any suggestions.
Contacting Landlords/Agencies
So you’ve found a lovely place that looks really nice, is up to your specifications with a
reasonable price. Now to make contact.
Most property websites provide a email service to email the landlord or letting agent directly.
This email does not have to be detailed. It has to have enough information to outline your
position and show that you’re a nice friendly person. For example, if you are a single person
moving to a new city you could say:
Link to Original Content: https://rebeccahhammond.com/2018/08/21/moving-house-finding-a-new-place/
Dear Sir/Madam,
Hope you are keeping well.
I am a 29 year old working professional looking for a property to rent in (Name of Area). I
was wondering if it would be possible to arrange a viewing of this property sometime this
week?
Hope to hear from you soon,
(Your Name)
You can change this template depending on your situation. It is a great way to introduce
yourself to a letting agent/landlord.
To be honest, this is my least favourite part of the process. As lovely and engaging as your
initial email may be, you may not receive many responses.
Suitability
It is tempting when you are looking for a property to jump for the first one that you see or like
the look of. So, it is really important that you consider the suitability of a property. For
example, I normally consider the following;
Parking
This is important especially if there is more than one car in the household. Does the property
have enough parking for each car? If not, is there a space available for rent and for how
much? This is important when considering the total price of the property.
Bills
I will always ask the landlord/letting agent what is included in the price. These can include
refuse collection, electricity, heating and t v/internet. Any additional charges or bills should be
taken into consideration when calculating the total price of the property.
Link to Original Content: https://rebeccahhammond.com/2018/08/21/moving-house-finding-a-new-place/
Heating
When viewing the property I also ask if the house is a warm or cold house. It is very unlikely
that the landlord/letting agent will answer this question honestly but the answer should give
you an idea. Another thing to look out for is mould and damp. If you find mould in the
property or you feel that the property is damp, proceed with caution!
Furniture
The majority of rental houses in Ireland are full furnished, but, it is no harm to ask what
furniture is included in the price. There is nothing worse than moving into a new suitable
cheap property and realising there are no beds or kitchen appliances!
References
This part is very straightforward. Contact your most recent landlord/letting agent and ask for
a letter confirming your previous tenancy. Make sure that they state the dates of tenancy and
the amount paid in rent per month.
Most landlords/letting agents will also ask for a letter from your place of work confirming
your position in the company and that you work there.
Some letting agents/landlords will contact each reference you have provided. Other letting
agents/landlords will not so it’s best to have everything to hand, just in case.
Deposits
My favourite part. You’ve found a lovely place, you’ve submitted all your applications and the
landlord/letting agent is offering the property to you to rent. And now the deposits due.
As much as this can be stressful if you are short on cash, there is a lovely sense of security
knowing that the place is yours.
Link to Original Content: https://rebeccahhammond.com/2018/08/21/moving-house-finding-a-new-place/
If you have secured a property via a letting agent, you can rest assured that your money is in
safe hands. Regardless, make sure that you get a receipt confirming that the deposit has
been paid.
If you have negotiated with a private landlord, make sure that when you hand over the
deposit that you get a receipt and that you get the keys on the same day.
Moving in
Woohoo!! You’ve gotten a place, everything is paid up and you’ve got the keys in your hand. It
is tempting to move straight into your new house but there one task you should complete
before making the final move:
Snag list
Take a quick walk around the property, both inside and out, and look for marks on the wall or
anything that is broken. Contact your landlord/letting agent as soon as possible to have it
fixed. If it doesn’t need to be fixed, take a quick picture and start creating a snag list.
If electricity is not included in the price, find where your property’s electricity meter is and
take a reading. I always take a picture of it too as the picture will be time stamped. This will
also help for when you are transferring the electricity bill into your name.
You’ve done it! You’ve navigated your way through possibly one of the most stressful times in
your life. Believe me, after a few moves, you’ll be a pro. Now put the kettle on, make a cup of
tea and put your feet up.
Need to figure out how to move your stuff in or d
eal with new housemates, look no further
than my comprehensive M
oving House Series guides!
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website, and any outside information linked to,
is for guidance only. It is not legal advice. Please consult legal counsel for advice specific to
your situation.
Link to Original Content: https://rebeccahhammond.com/2018/08/21/moving-house-finding-a-new-place/
N.B. - These suggestions are for an Irish rental market but can be used in any county. If you
have any suggestions for other rental markets, why not comment below?
Photo Credit: Maarten Deckers on Unsplash